Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Division of Senior Services recognized the writing talents of several Essex County residents during the Essex County Senior Legacies Writing Contest Celebration Luncheon May 24.
The Legacies Writing Contest encourages Essex senior citizens to write essays about the people and events that have influenced their lives. 
 
“Our Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest is a unique way for our older population to share their life’s stories and describe the people and events that helped to shape their lives,” DiVincenzo said. “Our seniors’ stories make you laugh and they touch your heart. They provide us with a different perspective on historical events and what our society was like.”
 
A winning story in the local coverage area was “Megan’s Story” by Livingston resident Deanna L. Adams. Stories receiving honorable mentions were “Ladybug Ladybug” by Cedar Grove resident Peggy LaVake; and “When Life Imitates Art” by Livingston resident Reginald Eugene Sims.
 
“All our seniors have stories to tell, and our Legacies Writing Contest provides our older adults with an incentive to preserve their memories, and create a living history,” Essex County Division of Senior Services Director Jaklyn DeVore said. “Writing enables our seniors to share their memories with friends and families, allows them to reminisce about old times, and keeps their minds active. This is one of our most popular events because of the emotions and memories that are evoked.”
 
 
Essex County Director of Citizen Services Anibal Ramos said, “Our seniors are very talented and they write from the heart. Every year, I am impressed with the emotion and quality of stories. I congratulate everyone for participating.”
 
Sponsored by the Essex County Division of Senior Services, the Legacies Writing Contest was started in 1996 and was part of a national contest, which encouraged senior citizens to discover the joys of writing while sharing their stories with others. Although the national contest was discontinued in 1998, the Essex County Division of Senior Services continued to sponsor the Legacies Writing Contest on a local level. Entries are judged on the writer’s ability to engage the reader with humor, emotional impact or rich descriptions. Winning stories were selected by a committee of volunteer judges and staff from the Essex County Division of Senior Services.
 
The Essex County Division of Senior Services offers a wide range of services to eligible Essex County senior citizens. For more information, call 973-395-8375.